Amanda Giles (she/they) is thrilled to be making her Strawdog debut! Chicago area credits include: Haymarket: The Anarchist Folk Band Musical, Queer. People. Time. , A Man Of No Importance, Far From Heaven, Carrie 2: The Rage & Elizabeth in If/Then and Young Gertrude in Loving Repeating, both Jeff award nominated performances. Thanks to the best agents in the biz at Grossman & Jack Talent, this incredibly collaborative and inventive cast and team, and the most supportive constellation of loved ones. This ones for my grandmothers, whose lives taught me the meaning of love & resilience . www.amanda-giles.com

Peter Stielstra (he/him) is a Chicago based actor and singer. He is glad to make his Strawdog debut in their production of Hershel and The Hanukkah Goblins. Recent credits include THE THREEPENNY OPERA (Ensemble, u/s Macheath) with Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, GIRLFRIEND (Mike) with PrideArts, and NEXT TO NORMAL (Henry) with the Dunes Summer Theatre. Before moving to Chicago from San Francisco, some of his favorite credits include: AS YOU LIKE IT (Orlando u/s and ensemble) with the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival, THE HOUSE OF THE SPIRITS (Barrabas) at UC Berkeley, and POOL OF UNKNOWN WONDERS (Gorkys) with Ubuntu Theater Project, now Oakland Theater Project.

Heather-Grace Bach (She/Her) is thrilled to make her Strawdog Debut! She recently relocated to Chicago from Portland, OR. In that time she has performed in MPAACT’s 2023 workshop of Red Summer and led her own cabaret at Davenport’s. Her choreography has also been seen on Chicago stages in Cinderella and A Christmas Story. A few of her favorite performance roles include Gwendolyn (The Importance of being Ernest), Mona (Chicago), The Baker’s Wife (Into the Woods), and dancing in shows such as West Side Story, Mamma Mia, and Elf - where she was also assistant choreographer. During lockdown she was an Artist-In-Residence with From the Ground Up where she wrote and performed her one-woman show, Examining. Heather-Grace’s creative pursuits have allowed her to travel, having been part of a choir that performed throughout Ireland and the Faure Requiem at Carnegie Hall. Many thanks to God and my family. heathergracebach.com

Corin Wiggins is an actor and theatre deviser who is excited to make his Strawdog debut. A recent graduate of Coastal Carolina University with a B.F.A. in Physical Theatre, Corin has devised and performed theatre around the world including Italy, Kazakhstan, and the Czech Republic. Recent credits include Red Dog in "Haunted Soiree" (Meyer2Meyer), Jerry in "The Zoo Story" (CCU), and an actor and deviser in various performances which debuted at Prague Quaddrennial 2023. Additionally, his co-devised show "A Waffle Lot of Fun" premiered in the Philadelphia Fringe Festival 2023. He would like to sincerely thank Strawdog for such an exciting opportunity, his wonderful cast members, his endlessly supportive friends and family, and the Jewish community of Chicago.

Sarah (she/her/hers) is so excited to be making her Chicago acting debut as a Hanukkah goblin! A recent graduate from Northwestern University, you might recognize her from Lyle the Crocodile (Joshua), and Indecent (Vera). Sarah is also a director, cofounder of the Artery Theatre, and a lover of latkes with sour cream.

Ray is a dancer, musician, and theater maker from the redwoods of Northern California. They got their BA in Performance Studies from California State University Long Beach in 2020. After moving to Chicago, they began working with companies like Thumbprint Studios and Gender Fucked Productions with shows like Queer Dance Freakout and Trans Voices Cabaret. They enjoy singing, making up silly dances, and generally clowning around. They think this will be fun!

Mia Marks (she/her) is super excited to make her Strawdog Theatre debut as the understudy of Hershel in Hershel and the Hanukah Goblins. After graduating with a BA in Acting from Illinois State University, she has made the big move to Chicago to pursue works in theatre and film. Her past credits include Isabella in The Swordswoman of San Gimignano, Caroline in I and You, Carol in Oleanna, Maria in Twelfth Night, and Actor 5/Sarah in We Are Proud to Present... She hopes this fun show will bring you closer to family during this holiday season!

Erin Williams (she/her) is an actor, dancer, and musician. She studies guitar at the Old Town School of Folk Music with Chris Walz. Some favorite acting credits include Exit Pursued by a Bear (Nan), The Christians (Jenny), Summertime (Natalie), Every Brilliant Thing (Narrator U/S), and After the Blast (Anna U/S). She lives with her partner, David, and their pack of dogs, and is notoriously bad at pop culture references.

Norah Flaherty (she/her/hers, Al U/S) is a Chicago based actress, comedian, and choreographer. Recent Chicago Credits include: Night Watch (Blanche U/S) at Raven Theatre, The Cleanup (Nicole U/S) Prop Theatre, Rent (Choreographer/Female Swing) at Possibilities Theatre, The Dining Room (Annie, Sarah Track) Possibilities Theatre, Macbeth (Captain/Siward) New Place Theare. Norah is a 2022 Graduate of the Second City Conservatory and performed and produced “Portrait of a Bunch of Ladies on Fire” at the Newport Theatre. Next up, catch her at “Onward and Off My Parents’ Health Insurance” at the Second City Blackout Cabaret. When she isn’t onstage, she is a teaching artist & competition choreographer at Momentum Performing Arts. Instagram: @norahflaherty. Love always to Mom, Dad, siblings, and Harry.

Abbie Brenner is very excited to be working with Strawdog Theatre Company! Abbie is a graduate of Illinois State University’s School of Theatre and Dance with a dual degree in acting and theatre management. Since graduating in 2019, Abbie has worked at various Chicago theaters in administrative roles, including the Goodman Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Theatre Wit, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. She recently completed Shattered Globe’s Protégé training program this fall. Abbie can’t wait to continue pursuing a career in Chicago’s vibrant theatre community.

Linnaea (they/she) worked as an improviser, educator, and theater artist in Bellingham, WA before moving to Chicago in 2021. Recent Chicago credits include Alone (musician/actor/deviser) and Filament Theater's SPARK Windyland Workshop (actor/deviser). They are also a company member, teaching artist, and administrative assistant at Playmaker's Laboratory. Linnaea studied Acting & Educational Theatre at Western Washington University. Linnaeagroh.com.

(She/her/hers) Cassidy Keenan is thrilled to be making her Strawdog Theatre debut! Some of her favorite roles have included Emily in Our Town (The Theater Lab), Claire in Ordinary Days (Arena Theater), and Teacher in Peter and the Starcatcher (Arena Theater). She received her stage training at the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and as a member of Arena Theater's "Workout" ensemble. She wants to thank her roommates and neighbors for putting up with her months of flute practice in preparation for this show.

is the author of over 130 books for children, including Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock and the classic Hanukkah tale, Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. He is a five-time winner of the National Jewish Book Award and the Sydney Taylor Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Michael Dailey (Adapter) has been a Strawdog company member since 1997. He has appeared as an actor in 24 Strawdog productions. Writing credits include three radio plays presented as part of Radio Theatre 7, co-writer on the late-night series The Adventures of Picklebot and Lawfer and script editor for Strawdog’s productions of 1001 Afternoons in Chicago, Julius Caesar, Measure for Measure and this adaptation of Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins.

As an actor, he’s enjoyed working around town with Lyric Opera, Stage Left, Steppenwolf, About Face, Shattered Globe, Eclipse and Writer’s Theatre, to name a few. He’s a graduate of Illinois State University, the Second City Conservatory and was a Steppenwolf Acting Fellowship recipient.

Jacob Combs is a writer, director, and composer based in Los Angeles. Most recently, he was part of the writers room for the Netflix comedy BLOCKBUSTER. A lifelong theater nerd, Jacob wrote music & lyrics for ‘Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins’ (based on the children’s book by Eric Kimmel), which has been produced annually since 2018 by Chicago’s Strawdog Theatre.

Previously, Jacob spent a 6-year stint at Pixar, where he wrote on an untitled feature in development and was part of the writers’ room for an upcoming, original episodic series. He also wrote several episodes of the Emmy-nominated Disney+ documentary series ‘Inside Pixar.’

Jacob has also written two live-action short films: ‘Messrs.’ and ‘Without,’ his first short as writer/director. His screenplay ‘Palisade Peaches’ was developed at the 2022 Nostos Screenwriting Retreat. This fall, he developed his screenplay ‘Max and Vivian Get Mitzvah’d’ at the Stowe Story Labs.

Noah Elman is a director, designer, and theatremaker based in Chicago. Previous directing credits include: Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare on the Lake), The Pillowman (PAC), origin/end (Fredonia Festival), Mygda (upcoming short film). His design work has been seen in Chicago at theaters including Second City, Boho Theatre, Mudlark Theatre, and MTW. He has received multiple awards for his work including the 2021 Camilla Schade Teaching Artist Award. Thank you to the Strawdog ensemble for continuing to champion the creation of Jewish theatre work and holiday traditions in Chicago and to the whole Hershel team that put their time and energy into supporting that vision.

Patrick Starner(he/him) is a Chicago-based director, producer, and production manager and is thrilled to be making his Strawdog debut. Previous directing credits include: Eleven Months of Nuclear & Gut (Platform), Coats, Winsor & Gertie, Urinetown (University of Notre Dame), and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (South Bend Civic Theatre). He production manages for A Red Orchid Theatre and Oak Park Festival Theatre Upcoming: Cozy by Daphne Gussler (PockTheatreVR); As You Are by Rachel Lynett (University of Notre Dame).

Matthew Pollack (Music Director, he/him). Matthew is delighted to work with Strawdog for the first time. Composing credits include Oy (A Jewish Holiday Show for Everyone); Sh*tfyre, the Musical; I Want to Believe: an X-files Musical Parody; and (parts of) Shark Tank, the Musical; all at The Annoyance Theatre. Matthew teaches at the Second City Training Center and accompanies comedy shows throughout Chicago.

(she/her) is pretty excited to celebrate Hanukkah with Hershel, the gang, and all of you! Thanks to Kamille, Kyle, Mikayla, Patrick, & Noah for so easily welcoming me back into the sandbox and to Morgan Gire for being Morgan Gire.

Becca Levy (she/her) is an ensemble member at Strawdog Theatre Company where she’s worked on the creative team for over a dozen productions. She is an educator, theatre artist, and stage manager currently pursuing an MFA student in Theatre for Youth & Communities at Arizona State University. Becca also worked as a teaching artist and stage manager in Chicago after earning her BFA in Stage Management from Western Michigan University. www.beccaglevy.com

Ellie Levine (she/her) is a stage and movement director with a focus on devised, physical theatre and puppetry. Recent credits include The Little Prince (Improv Playhouse), The Women Who Discovered... (Measure the Universe), and Alex in Windyland (Filament SPARK Workshop). Ellie is also a Teaching Artist with Chicago Children's Theatre, and she will be teaching a class at Northwestern on Theatre for the Very Young. She received her Masters in Theatre Making from the University of Kent in England, where she conducted a practical dissertation on cultivating curiosity and joy through a body positive approach to physical theatre.

Marcus Klein (he/him/his; Scenic Designer) is a Chicago-based scenic designer and scenic artist. He’s a recent graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he received a BA in Theatre Design and Technology with a focus in Scenic Design and a minor in Cultural Studies. Chicago scenic design credits: The Duchess of Malfi (BWBTC), Fame: The Musical (UAC Theatre Company), Dance Nation (CCC), Bat Boy: The Musical (CCC), Hortensia and the Museum of Dreams (CCC), Small World (CCC), and Orchards (CCC). His work can be viewed at www.mkleinscenicdesign.com.

Sam Anderson(they/she) originally grew up in a small town in Southeast Iowa, and independently studied lighting design while receiving their BFA in Musical Theatre performance at Western Illinois University. She is thrilled to make her debut with Strawdog Theatre with her design on Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins! Some of their other favorite designs include Now and Then and Collected Stories (Oil Lamp Theater), She Kills Monsters (Iowa State University), and Agnes of God (Redtwist Theatre), with upcoming Assistant Master Electrician role on Anything Goes with Porchlight Musical Theatre. She is also a company member of Theatre L’Acadie. When not working on a show, Sam enjoys studying psychology, caring for plants, and sipping coffee while cuddling with their cat, Penelope.

Brandon Reed (Sound Designer) (He/Him/His) Is a sound designer, composer, and audio engineer based in Chicago. Broadway credits include Goodnight, Oscar (Assistant Sound Designer). Regional credits include Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass, American Players Theatre, Cape Fear Regional Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Constellation Stage & Screen, and many others. Chicago credits include Northwestern, Bluebird Arts, First Folio, Windy City Playhouse, Underscore, Congo Square (Jeff Nomination for A Small Oak Tree Runs Red), Teatro Vista, About Face, The Hypocrites, and so many others. He previously served as the Sound Supervisor for Lookingglass Theatre Company, as well as PlayMakers Repertory Company. He was awarded the 2019 USITT Robert Cohen Sound Achievement Award. MFA from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS from Ball State University. He is also a member of United Scenic Artists, Local 829, and the Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association. www.brandonreedsounddesign.com

Rocío "Chio" Cabrera-Coz is a Chicago puppet artist and designer. She collaborates with Free Street Theater and Rough House Theater. She was a part of the 2023 Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival Puppet Lab Cohort. She runs children puppet art classes throughout the city. Thank you to Jacob, my Mom, and my pet rabbits who didn't eat all the goblin puppets. www.chiocabrera.com IG: @chiocabreracoz

Kyle Hamman (he/him) is the owner of KBH Media, a multi-media production company that specializes in visual storytelling. He has been involved in Chicago theatre as an actor, designer, director, and producer for over twenty years. He has been a Strawdog Ensemble member since 2000 and joined the board in 2020. He appeared in more than twenty Strawdog productions and many more behind the scenes.

Originally from Oklahoma, he grew up in North Little Rock, Arkansas. After graduating, Hamman spent a season at Actors Theatre of Louisville as an acting apprentice. He founded KBH Media in 2008, playing in the overlap between theatre and film. Hamman has worked with numerous other theatres in Chicago including: Mary-Arrchie, A Red Orchid Theatre, Northlight, Steppenwolf, Teatro Vista, Writers Theatre, and The Factory, where he directed Ren Faire! A Fistful of Ducats.

Hamman has been nominated for Jeff Citations as a Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director. He is married to fellow Strawdog Ensemble member Shannon Hoag.

Line Bower (they/them) is a Chicago-based technical director, carpenter, and scenic painter. They received their BA in Theatre Technology & Design from Columbia College Chicago, where they became the school’s first student technical director of a mainstage production. They are a proud ensemble member of Babes With Blades Theatre Company. Recent TD credits: That Must Be the Entrance to Heaven (Visión Latino Theatre Co), Jane: Abortion and the Underground (Idle Muse Theatre Co), The Duchess of Malfi (BWBTC), Port of Entry (Albany Park Theatre Project). Lead Carpenter credits: A View from the Bridge (Theater Wit).

Karissa Murrell Myers (she/her) has been Strawdog’s Casting Director since 2019 and joined the ensemble in 2020.

She is originally from the great state of Idaho and has a MFA in Performance from University of Hawaii at Manoa, a BA in Theatre Arts from Boise State University, and is a graduate of The School at Steppenwolf. She has been working professionally in Chicago as an actor, playwright, and director since 2015.

As a performer, Karissa has worked at Goodman Theatre, Remy Bumppo, The House Theatre of Chicago, and Renaissance Theaterworks. Television work includes working on Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Electric Dreams, and The Exorcist. Proud member of SAG-AFTRA. Represented by Gray Talent Group.

Kamille Dawkins (she/they) moved to Chicago in 2016 after completing her nine month Emerging Professional Residency at The Milwaukee Repertory Theater. She has since joined the Chicago theatre community as an Actor, Musician, Singer, Writer, and Director.

She was invited to join Strawdog Theatre Company’s ensemble in 2017, shortly after performing in Strawdog’s production of Once in A Lifetime. Since then, Kamille and is now the company’s Executive Artistic Director.

The Chicago Loop Synagogue

Margrit Eichler

Manny Ortiz

Carmine Grisola

Heath Hays